Ray’s Feluda in Holland: An evening of nostalgia
Amsterdam, Apr 8 (IBNS) The audience packed in the Cultural centrum Griffioen Amstelveen in the Netherlands had their childhood nostalgia spooled out as they sat listening to the charismatic Sabyasachi Chakraborty or “Feluda” aka Prodosh C. Mitter, Bengal’s most loved detective, the suave sleuth created by the maestro Satyajit Ray.
Accompanied by director Sandip Ray, the late maestro's son who took forward the Feluda legacy with many films now in which Sabyasachi played the iconic Feluda taking over the mantle from the legendary Indian actor Soumitra Chatterjee, the evening simply took on the grandeur that their presence promised.
One of the most popular actor- director pairs of Bengali cinema visited the Netherlands on the invitation of a pioneering drama group The Thespians to celebrate a Feluda Retrospective in the Netherlands.
Their collaboration spans almost a quarter of a century now. The event was opened by Venu Rajamoni, Ambassador of India to the Netherlands and hosted by Samia Zaman, TV and media personality from Bangladesh and included among others, a talk show, interactive session, an exhibit of the maestro’s illustrations, and film screening of Ray’s masterpiece “Kailashe Kelenkari”.
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The nuggets of information that they both shared while reminiscing on Satyajit Ray’s filmmaking, on his characterizations, on the several anecdotes during the shooting was a treat for the audience in the Netherlands.
“It is indeed an unique concept by The Thespians Group, a very well organized event with engaging audience,” said Sandip Ray with enthusiasm.
“Lalita [his wife], Benu [Sabyasachi], and I am very happy to be here to participate in this unique event.’’ He was all praise for his favorite actor too.
The whole show was beautifully conducted by Samia Zaman who not only connected at once with the audience but made it look charming and effortless.
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“It was my deepest wish to play Feluda in Ray’s films,” shared Sabyasachi Chakraborty as the fans sat spellbound listening to the deep baritone of their childhood hero.
“And even after playing Feluda on the big screen, television, radio, theatre, for the longest time, if Babuda (Sandip Ray) still wants me to play Feluda one more time, I would not mind.”
And neither would the audience.
(Reporting by Chaitali Sengupta in Amsterdam)
Picture Courtesy: The Thespians, Netherlands
